Peninsula: From a supporting actor to the best actor in Chungmuro

Chapter 229 The Kiss Mark Scarf and the "Murderer" Offer

Chapter 229 The Kiss Mark Scarf and the "Murderer" Offer
Once I was back in the car, the warm air began to blow gently.

Lim Yoona smiled and rolled up the sleeve of her left hand, then waved her wrist in front of him—

He was wearing the same bracelet as the one on his wrist, only the main stone was a size smaller.

It was only then that Kang Jae-hoon belatedly realized what was happening.

It turned out to be a carefully prepared pair of couple bracelets.

As for the price.

Kang Jae-hoon wasn't quite sure about the exact numbers.

However, given that it was made by Yoona, and considering the quality of the emerald peridot, the craftsmanship of the platinum setting, and the brilliance of the surrounding diamonds, it is definitely not a cheap product.

"Like it?"

Yoona tilted her head and asked, her doe eyes shining even brighter with anticipation.

Hear the words.

A smile spread across Kang Jae-hoon's lips as he effortlessly uttered sweet nothings, his gaze so sincere that no one could doubt him.
"Oh, Ms. Lin, why did you use a question?"

Even if what was handed to you just now was a strand of hair plucked from your own head as a gift...

"The next second."

"You will be able to see for yourself how I carefully framed it and hung it on the most prominent wall in the living room."

So, the question, 'Do you like it?'—

Kang Jae-hoon shrugged: "Logically, it simply doesn't hold up."

"..."

Im Yoona was so shocked by his "hair specimen theory," which was comparable to a severe psychiatric case, that she was speechless for three seconds.

immediately.

"Pfft—!! Hahahaha!!"

She laughed so hard she slumped back in the leather seat of the driver's seat.

"Ah!! Kang Jae-hoon!"

She laughed wildly while panting and scolding:
"You... how much did you drink at the after-party?! They weren't even pouring you champagne, were they?! I bet it was top-grade linden honey that had been soaking all night?! Huh?!"

The warm air inside the car carried her unique peach scent, filling the space that was made even more vibrant and lively by her laughter.

Kang Jae-hoon turned to the side and stared at her laughing hysterically.

Yoona's profile looked exceptionally soft and captivating under the glow of the city's neon lights streaming through the car window.

That's just how she is.

Vibrant, playful, sometimes mature and steady, sometimes innocent and silly, like a clear and full-life spring.

It was a priceless treasure in his heart.

Kang Jae-hoon rested his elbows on the center console, moving closer to the source of that sweet smile:
"Want to know what I'm drinking?"

"Why don't you try it yourself and see?"

His hot breath brushed lightly across her cheeks, which still felt warm from her laughter.

"What...uh...!"

The cheerful laughter and lively atmosphere of the lottery station inside the carriage were instantly swept away by the sudden heat.

The pulse pounded wildly beneath the skin that was being rubbed together inch by inch.

The intertwined lips and teeth form an isolated island surrounded by treacherous turbulent currents.

After a long time.

Kang Jae-hoon slowly stepped back a little distance.

His forehead pressed against hers, his nose lightly brushing against hers, his voice low and husky:
"Now... can you taste what it tastes like?"

Yoona's chest was still heaving violently, and her whole body felt so weak that she almost melted. Her ears turned bright red from his question, and she could only glare at him with embarrassment and annoyance.

That look in his eyes clearly said: "You're a scoundrel who knows the answer but doesn't!"
……

The next morning.

The city has not yet fully awakened.

Kang Jae-hoon left Im Yoon-ah's apartment discreetly and got into the nanny car that had arrived on time to pick him up.

But what's different from usual is—

Around his neck was a striking off-white cashmere blend scarf with irregular oatmeal gray patterns.

This scarf is completely different from his usual minimalist and tough style.

As for why they wore them and wrapped themselves up so tightly...

The agent, Kim Dae-won, only glanced at him before understanding.

last night.

Im Yoona, who should have been exhausted from lactic acid buildup due to the intense concert rehearsals...

I wonder if it's due to the surge in hormones during a couple's most exciting moments (ovulation period?);
Or perhaps it's the reluctance to part after such a long separation that's taking hold;
Or perhaps it was Kang Jae-hoon's forceful yet lingering deep kiss that ignited the passion hidden in his blood.

In short.

Yoona shed her usual traditional and reserved demeanor and acted unusually proactively.

Although he eventually ran out of energy and fell asleep after only a few rounds, he was too exhausted to continue.

But this "encounter battle" was of unusually high intensity and verticality...

However, he left many distinctive "love marks" on Kang Jae-hoon's shoulders, neck, collarbone, and even back.

The saying goes, "When emotions run deep, it's hard to control oneself."

This forced him to use the scarf he had temporarily found, Lin Yoona's, to cover up any information that might reveal the situation of last night's battle.

……

The vehicle drove smoothly on the street in the early morning light.

"You know Director Park Hoon-jung, right?"

Jin Dayuan named the key figures in a steady and concise manner, pausing naturally in his speech.

There is no abruptness or awkwardness.

"I know. What's wrong?"

Kang Jae-hoon adjusted his posture, the scarf that could be used as half a sweater made him move a little clumsily.

Of course he knew Park Hoon-jung.

This rising star of violent aesthetics.

As a screenwriter, he delivered a cold, gloomy, and hardcore script like "The Unjust".

After being promoted to director, "New World" further established his unique and strong style in the gangster genre, which is cold and bloody, yet carries a sense of destiny and action scenes that make people's blood boil.

It's riding high.

Kang Jae-hoon knows this talented up-and-coming director because his mentor, Hwang Jung-min, was the lead actor in his representative works, "New World" and "The Unjust".

"He sent you a script offer."

Jin Dayuan spoke succinctly, picking up a blue folder from the passenger seat and handing it to the back seat without turning around:

"The subject matter looks pretty...exciting."

"Oh?"

Kang Jae-hoon raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised.

Kim Dae-won's subtle attitude in handing over the script reveals a lot.

Take the folder.

The title of the drama is printed on the cover:

—The Right to Murder.

For a moment, only the faint sound of papers turning could be heard inside the carriage.

As the plot unfolds.

Kang Jae-hoon's brows furrowed more and more unconsciously, and a sense of disappointment spread uncontrollably.

From a skeletal perspective.

Its trajectory is all too "familiar":

An outlaw with privileged immunity rampages against women in South Korea (his background is set as the son of a high-ranking North Korean official, but his motives and effects are almost equivalent to the evil deeds of a chaebol).
A violent police officer who refuses to follow the rules and acts only according to his own sense of justice;

The two collide.

It unfolds a class conflict with a clear distinction between the strong and the weak, interspersed with some plot twists.

The final "trial" and execution were naturally carried out by the criminal police.

so similar!
It's like taking certain bones from "Veteran," giving it a different "skin" of a different nationality and identity, and then adding more extreme, cruel, and bloody descriptions.

From the core conflict (privileged class vs. violent law enforcement officers), the tension between the characters, to the final resolution, everything is reminiscent of "Veteran".

This is almost a variation of the essay topic.

Is it possible to replicate the miracle of "Veteran" by making another "outlaw version of Cho Tae-oh"?

Logically speaking:

The audience's emotional threshold has been pushed to the level of a horror film by Cho Tae-oh in "Veteran".

The same social pain points, or even more exaggerated and extreme scenarios, are repeatedly exposed—

There will only be two possible outcomes:
It either causes intense physical discomfort and psychological resistance, or it leads to aesthetic fatigue and numbness.

What's more terrible is——

Given Park Hoon-jung's consistent style, just looking at the script's descriptions of bloody and brutal scenes is enough to conjure up the "shocking" images that an R-rated film should have in one's mind.

This film was made.

This is definitely a restricted film that is prohibited for viewers under the age of 19.

Under South Korea's film rating system, "15+" is a delicate balance point; while "19+"... has already predetermined that it will be difficult for it to reach the heights of phenomenal box office success.

Park Hoon-jung wanted to invite Kang Jae-hoon to play the role.

This is the purebred pervert who suffers from sexual dysfunction (psychological problems leading to distorted and amplified behavior), is extremely cruel, and holds a superior status.

Kang Jae-hoon pursed his lips into a straight line.

Not interested in.

The three words that popped into my mind were straightforward.

This character is dark, painful, repetitive, and challenging (aside from the performance scale) but perhaps not as layered as the internal and external tension of Cho Tae-oh.

more importantly.

This runs counter to his desire to balance commerce and art, and to create characters that generate more discussion and have the potential to break out of his niche.

He even declined a major offer from director Ryoo Seung-wan, "The Battleship Island," which was highly significant for the nation and had the potential to win awards.

How could I possibly take on such a clearly rehashed and restrictive R-rated project?
but.

Even though I don't want to act in these repetitive roles and don't need to prove anything.

However, the invitation from director Park Hoon-jung is itself a highly valuable "resource" within the industry.

For some actors who are on the rise, urgently need to break through their established image, or yearn for recognition from accomplished directors, this may be a dream opportunity.

The longer you stay in this industry...

Kang Jae-hoon increasingly grasped its interconnected nature.

On the surface, it's all about prestigious titles like "film and television circle," "entertainment circle," and "literary and artistic circle."

Further subdivision?

Producers, investors, directors, screenwriters, actors, agents, publicity and distribution, film critics, media... form countless tangible and intangible small circles.

A large circle containing a smaller circle.

Small circles connect to smaller circles.

Smaller circles often have stronger cohesion and more crucial control over resource allocation.

such as--

The group of people around Jo In-sung who are closely bound together by friendship and mutual benefit of resources.

Lee Kwang-soo, Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Woo-bin, Do Kyung-soo, Lim Ju-hwan...

You have me I have you!
Outsiders can't figure it out.

People in the industry can always get the message to you through one or two people.

The resources that circulate within these circles are often the most core and the most difficult to enter the open market.

therefore.

Instead of returning it directly to the director, which would seem heartless and wasteful, Kang Jae-hoon should perhaps keep it within his own circle.

What if someone happens to be the right fit?

Just consider it as—

Become a resource intermediary who keeps the benefits within the family...?
Kang Jae-hoon, having thought things through, immediately pulled out his phone. [@Everyone, you've received an offer for an evil, violent, and perverted villain role!]

[Director Park Hoon-jung's new film! My schedule just doesn't fit.]

[Character Setting: Son of a high-ranking North Korean official, a privileged and exempt killer, suffering from functional psychological disorders leading to extremely twisted behavior... The script is very explicit, basically rated R!]

[Anyone interested in a tough, unconventional role, and able to handle pressure? The director is looking for young male actors!]

[Note: This isn't suitable for Kwang-soo; it feels like it would turn into a comedy...]

Message sent.

result.

After making inquiries, the feedback was somewhat awkward.

The most suitable candidates for this villain role are undoubtedly Do Kyung-soo and Kim Woo-bin.

However, the former has been mentored by Cha Tae-hyun and joined the large and highly anticipated cast of "Along with the Gods".
The latter had just been confirmed to co-star with his girlfriend Bae Suzy in the KBS Wednesday-Thursday drama "Uncontrollably Fond," which caused a scheduling conflict.

Lee Kwang-soo's acting range is limited, making it difficult for him to handle such a dark and complex role;
Jo In-sung, on the other hand, has no shortage of top-tier film offers and consistently plays leading roles, so it's impossible for him to lower his status to play a supporting role.

Watching helplessly as a significant "big fish" is caught in a situation where no suitable "pond" is found within their own small circle to take it over...

This taste.

It was indeed a little awkward.

but.

Kang Jae-hoon's brain won't be tripped up by this little setback.

The instant you scroll down your phone's contact list...

A guy who always appears in his storyline at crucial moments to act as a scapegoat lights up like he has his own notification sound!

"Buzz!"

This fellow...

I've finally come to terms with reality recently.

No longer clinging to the old dream of the "Empire Sons" boy band that he could never recover from, he honestly staked his entire future on this narrow path—the path of an actor.

As for where this determination comes from?

The source...

It was purely because I was spurred on by Im Si-wan, who came from the same group but had already become a legend with "Misaeng," received widespread acclaim for his acting skills, and had excellent resources.

As fellow "fellow travelers" on the path of idol-turned-actors...

Inevitably, both sides have become natural and continuously amplified competitors in the eyes of the media and fans.

The most frustrating thing is—

Last year at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Park Hyung-sik watched enviously as Im Si-wan triumphantly took home the Best New Actor award in the drama category.

To make matters worse—

Park Hyung-sik's current transformation path seems to have reached a dead end.

With his naturally deceptively innocent and cute appearance and his charming, sunny disposition, the scripts he received were almost exclusively for the devoted second male lead in idol dramas or the youthful third male lead.

Compared to Im Si-wan, who has already firmly established himself as a "monster rookie" and even begun venturing into more complex genres...

The drop is so great that you could raise whales there!

And now.

Hasn't the opportunity arrived?
This film, "The Right to Murder," features a villainous character filled with extreme malice.

Isn't it a piece tailor-made?

The explosives used to destroy Park Hyung-sik's deeply ingrained "puppy" and "good boy" idol image!?

What a contrast!

The eternal ratings panacea in the film and television industry.

Imagine that scene:
in front of the screen.

Fans are melting with Park Hyung-sik's signature healing smile...

next second.

With a sharp, cold glance, his lips curled into a merciless smile, and his long, slender fingers, like a bloodstained work of art, tightened around the girl's delicate neck...

The sense of cognitive dissonance and impact created in that instant!

Turning evil!

An extreme reversal!

That's enough to cement Park Hyung-sik's name on the top trending topics list for "transformation" and "powerful reversal of acting skills"!

Think of this.

Kang Jae-hoon did not hesitate for a moment.

He decisively obtained Director Park Hoon-jung's private contact number from Kim Dae-won.

Knowing the ropes and how to navigate the industry, he quickly prepared his words and made the call.

After the pleasantries.

Straight to the point:

"Director Park, thank you so much for your appreciation and this wonderful invitation! I am truly flattered..."

The opening remarks should be sincere and the manner should be appropriate.

Kang Jae-hoon's intonation was flawless:
"After carefully reading the script, I was truly impressed by its structure; it's definitely your style."

"but……"

The tone was tinged with just the right amount of regret:
"After careful consideration of my current personal plans and the schedules of some projects, I really cannot find enough time to deliver the filming. If I were to rush into this challenge and not give it my all, it would be irresponsible to you and the entire project, and I am truly sorry!"

The conversation turned.

Immediately offer a sincere "smoothing-out strategy":
"But! Director..."

"I know a young actor who perfectly matches your vision of this character and the visual style!"

"Park Hyung-sik, formerly of ZE:A, has been focusing on honing his acting skills and seeking a breakthrough in recent years!"

"Outstanding appearance, highly malleable, and most importantly..."

Kang Jae-hoon slowed down his speech, each word aimed at earning points for Park Hyung-sik:
"He is eagerly seeking a role that can completely break through the public's preconceived notions about him! Such an excellent actor is able to dedicate himself to a work that embodies your heart and soul, director... Sparks and chemistry? I believe it will definitely be an extremely explosive presentation!"

On the other end of the phone.

Director Park Hoon-jung, who had been somewhat downcast after being turned down, was indeed intrigued by this "new choice".

"..."

The call ends.

I watched as the phone screen went dark.

Kang Jae-hoon leaned back in the comfortable seat of the van and let out a soft sigh.

As for whether Park Hyung-sik will be able to impress the director through the audition and successfully land the role, Kang Jae-hoon is uncertain.

But he felt.

The sentiment and value contained in my proactive and heartfelt recommendation should be enough to offset all the "blames" that Park Hyung-sik inexplicably took for me over the years, right?
……

The next evening.

Seoul is getting colder.

The APAN Star Awards ceremony, located in the COEX Center in Gangnam-gu, was already surrounded by layers of flashing lights, enthusiastic cheers from fans, and a long line of headlights from luxury cars.

The moment Kang Jae-hoon stepped out of the car.

“Ahhhh——!!!”

"Jaehoon oppa—!!!!"

"..."

The screams rose and fell, creating a wall of sound that grew ever louder.

There is no other reason——

His OOTD stood out from the sea of monotonous black formal wear.

She wore a well-tailored, knee-length black coat over a black turtleneck sweater.

This "alternative" style of dressing, which completely conceals the neck and collarbone area, carries an austere coolness and a sense of mystery that makes people want to explore it.

Kang Jae-hoon maintained a polite smile and waved calmly to the fans and the camera.

He wasn't dressed like this to stand out or grab headlines.

Indeed—

I had no choice!

The various indescribable "love marks" left by Yoona in that "encounter" the night before are still clearly visible after a night.

Judging by this, it might not even take three days to subside!

If it gets caught on camera...

Perhaps you can barely manage to get away with the lame excuse of "being bitten by mosquitoes" (as for where the mosquitoes come from in winter? Don't ask, they're just a new species that flew out of the greenhouse).

but!
Did Bae Suzy see it?

The consequences would be an emotional catastrophe of nuclear explosion level!

Although this girl has already been confirmed to star in "Uncontrollably Fond," she was nominated for the APAN Best Actress in a Mid-Length Drama Award, so she was naturally an indispensable focus on the red carpet.

therefore--

To avoid being exposed, Kang Jae-hoon went to great lengths.

Not only did she cover all suspicious traces with a turtleneck sweater, but she also carefully stored the highly symbolic couple's bracelet that Yoona had given her deep inside a drawer of her apartment in Seongsu-dong.

Not to mention……

He urgently changed the intimate wallpaper on his phone, which showed him with his hands clasped together with Yoona, to a photo of him with Bae Suzy, their faces close together and smiling brightly.

This seamless switching is like performing ballet on a cliff.

So much so that the moment he stepped onto the red carpet, Kang Jae-hoon's heart was already pounding:
After receiving the prize (if I'm lucky enough to win it), should I go to Cheongdam-dong and check out a few electronics stores first?
Buy a brand new backup phone?

Do not!
Two are enough to be safe!

One phone is for contacting Yoona, one is for dealing with Suzy Bae, and one is exclusively for Lee Sung-kyung.

With this "calm" mindset, as if repeatedly jumping on a tightrope, she walked the red carpet and gave a brief group interview to the media.

Kang Jae-hoon did not immediately enter the inner area.

Instead, they waited patiently for a while in a sheltered spot at the entrance of the passage.

It didn't take long.

A Bentley with elegant lines slowly drove to the starting point of the red carpet.

The rear door opened—

Bae Suzy gracefully stepped out of the car, lifting her floor-length dress and wearing silver stilettos.

She wore a deep purple strapless gradient starlight tulle dress specially made for this winter night.

Chased by countless lights, it was as if the night sky had been shattered and then sprinkled with the dust of the Milky Way, with shimmering light flowing with every slight turn of her head.

Even though they had been dating for almost a year.

Even though Kang Jae-hoon had admired her beauty up close countless times...

But at this moment.

When she appeared with composure and waved to both sides of the red carpet, her stunning beauty, which combined purity and charm, like a fairy of the first snow, still made Kang Jae-hoon hold his breath.

of course.

The price behind this breathtaking beauty is definitely sacrificing warmth for style.

—Truly, beauty can freeze you!

The delicate collarbone and shoulder skin exposed to the cold air were visibly covered with a layer of fine, stress-induced bumps.

really.

As soon as they got away from the dense array of cameras on the red carpet.

Bae Suzy, who had maintained a perfect smile, immediately revealed her true colors, hugging her bare arms and shivering violently.

Jiang Zai Xun saw it all, but didn't have time to think it through.

She quickly took off her wool coat, which was still warm from her body, and wrapped it tightly around her upper body, which was stiff from the cold.

"Ah~ I'm alive~"

Instantly, I was enveloped in the warmth of a familiar scent.

Bae Suzy's big, watery eyes curved into beautiful crescent shapes with satisfaction.